Common Ion Effect and Buffers

R.A. Raganit1
1 National Institute of Geological Sciences, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101

Performed 15 June 2017; Submitted 19 June 2017

Answers to Questions increased by 0.67. These changes are relatively bigger

1. Account for the differences in color of Solutions 1
and 2 after adding methyl orange indicator.
Methyl orange is a weak acid that acts as an
indicator that turns yellow in the presence of basic acidic
solution with a pH of 4.5 and above, and turns red or pink
in the presence of an acidic solution with a pH of 4.4 and
below1.
Upon adding a drop of methyl orange to Solution 1
containing 30.0 mL 0.10M CH3COOH, a change in color to
salmon pink occurred. This indicates that Solution 1 has a
pH range of 3.1 - 4.5. Using a calibrated pH meter, Solution
1 was shown to have a pH of 2.93. The theoretical pH value
of Solution 1 is 2.9.
compared to the increase of 0.2 and decrease of 0.18 from
4.71 in Solution 2 and increase of 0.03 and decrease of 0.11
from 8.67 in Solution 4. The reason for this is because
Solutions 2 and 4 are buffer solutions.
Buffer solutions are solutions or substances that,
when dissolved, will resist any change in pH despite the
addition of an acid or base2. Buffer solutions are able to
resist considerable pH change due to the presence of either
a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its
conjugate acid. Because of the common ion effect and the
nature of dissociation of weak acids and bases, the
dissociation of the conjugate ion is inconsequential enough
to overlook. And so, with the addition of a strong base or
acid, the buffer reduces the magnitude of change in pH at
equilibrium3.

For Solution 2 containing 15.0 mL 0.20 M Table 1. Data Sheet on pH using Visual Indicators and pH
CH3COOH and 15.0 mL 0.20 M NaCH3COO, a change in color Meter
to yellow was observed. This meant that Solution 2 has a
pH range of above 4.5. Using a calibrated pH meter, Solution pH reading T. pH value
Solution 2 was shown to have a pH of 4.71. The theoretical
pH value of Solution 2 is 4.7. a 2.13
1 b 3.54
2. Account for the differences in color of Solutions 3
and 4 after adding phenolphthalein indicator. c 2.93 2.9
a 4.53
Phenolphthalein is a weak acid that acts as an 2 b 4.91
indicator that becomes colorless in the presence of an
acidic solution of pH 8.3 and below and turns pink or red in c 4.71 4.7
alkaline solutions of pH 8.4 and above1. a 9.38
3 b 10.60
When added a drop of phenolphthalein, Solution 3,
containing 30.0 mL 0.10 M NH3 became very light pink in c 9.93 11
color. This indicated that Solution 3 has a pH of 8.3 - 10.0. a 8.56
Using a calibrated pH meter, Solution 3 was shown to have 4 b 8.70
a pH of 9.93. The theoretical pH value of Solution 3 is 11.
c 8.67 9.2
a solutions with HCl
For Solution 4 which contained 15.0 mL 0.20 M b solutions with NaOH
NH3 and 15.0 mL 0.20 NaCH3COO, a pinkish violet color c solutions without HCl or NaOH
was observed. This meant that Solution 4 has a pH of 10.0
and above. Using a calibrated pH meter, Solution 4 was 4. Compare the different methods of determining pH:
shown to have a pH of 8.67. The theoretical pH value of visual indicators, pH meter, and calculations. Compare
Solution 4 is 9.2. the accuracy of the three methods employed.

3. Which causes a larger change in pH, addition of 3 Visual indicators estimate the pH levels through
drops of 1.0 M HCl (or 3 drops of 1.0 M NaOH) to the presence of ions that are of different colors.
Solution 1, 2, 3, or 4? Explain. Determining pH values through visual indicators (such as
methyl orange and phenolphthalein) is not accurate
because it only gives you a range of pH values. Also, this
As shown in Table 1, Solution 1 and Solution 3
method relies solely on human sight and judgment which
yield bigger changes in pH values than Solution 2 and 4.
can be subjective and inaccurate at times.
For Solution 1, Solution 1a showed a decrease in
Assuming that there are no errors in calculation,
pH of over 0.8 from 2.93, while Solution 1b showed an
calculating pH values definitely yields more accurate
increase in pH of 0.61. For Solution 3, Solution 3a
decreased in pH of about 0.55 from 9.93 while Solution 3b values. However, the values are theoretical and do not take
into account other factors that could affect the system and Theoretical pH value of Solution 1:
ultimately, the experiment. Being theoretical, there might
be a chance that the values would deviate a bit from the CH3COOH CH3COO- + H+
actual experimental values. I 0.10 0 0
A pH meter should be the most accurate way to get C -x +x +x
the pH values of solutions. A pH meter measures the pH E 0.10 x x x
level of a solution by measuring the voltage and then
comparing the difference in voltages from a solution with a [][H+] ()()
Ka = 1.8 x 10-5 =
known voltage. Through this, the pH reading should be [] (0.10)
accurate and precise. However, its accuracy depends
heavily on how well calibrated the pH meter and how x2 + 1.8 x 10-5x + 1.8 x 10-6
functional it is. The calibration process is done manually so
[H+] = x = 1.332670973 x 10-3
there is also the possibility that there is human error
involved. pH = -log(1.332670973 x 10-3

5. What are the possible sources of errors and their = 2.9

effect on the calculated parameters? Rationalize.
Theoretical pH value of Solution 2:
As seen on Table 1, the calculated pH values of
[]
Solution 1 and 2 match (with little to no discrepancies) pH = pKa + log(
[]
with the actual pH reading that was taken by a pH meter. = -log(1.8 x 10-5x) + log(
0.20
0.20
However, that is not the case with Solutions 3 and 4 that
= 4.7
have discrepancies of 1.07 and 0.53 respectively. There are
three instances that could explain the presence of these Theoretical pH value of Solution 3:
errors. The first one would be improper solution
preparation. The proportion or concentrations of the NH3 + H 2O NH4+ + OH-
components used in the actual experimental solution I 0.10 - 0 0
might not be the same with the theoretical components. C -x - +x +x
Also, during the solution preparation, a watch glass is
needed to as a cover for the solutions. Maybe, to a certain E 0.10 - x - x x
extent, prolonged exposure to the air might have caused a
[4+][OH] ()()
change in concentration of the solution. Another possibility Kb = 1.8 x 10-5 =
[3] (0.10)
is the miscalibration of the pH meter. As stated earlier, the
calibration is done manually by the researcher which x2 + 1.8 x 10-5x + 1.8 x 10-6
leaves room for human error. The same goes for the
calculated theoretical values. [OH-] = x = 1.332670973 x 10-3

References pOH = -log(1.332670973 x 10-3

[1] Crits, George J.. (2012). Crits Notes on Water and = 2.875277062
Ion Exchange - Ion-Exchange Technology and Water
Treatment. Chemical Publishing Company Inc.. pH = 14 - 2.875277062

[2] Cammack, R. Attwood, T. K. Campbell, P. N. Parish, = 11

J. H. Smith, A. D. Stirling, J. L. Vella, F.. (2006). Oxford
Dictionary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2nd Theoretical pH value of Solution 4:
Edition). Oxford University Press.
[]
[3] Roberts, J. L., Hollenberg, J. L., Postma, J. M. pOH = pKb + log(
[]
(1996). General Chemistry in the Laboratory (3rd ed.). New = -log(1.8 x 10-5x) + log(
0.20
York: W. H. Freeman and Company. 0.20
= 4.744727495
Calculations
pH = 14 - 4.744727495
Given:
Ka of HOAc = 1.8 x 10-5 = 9.2
Kb of NH3 = 1.8 x 10-5